studying Archaeology at NUI Galway

Archaeology

Past societies are endlessly fascinating. From the astronomical sophistication of Newgrange to the imposing architecture of Norman castles, archaeology studies how humans have adapted to the physical environment, perceived their surroundings and interacted with each other. By studying how different civilisations have structured their society and attempted to understand the meaning of existence, we are, in fact, studying ourselves.

Archaeology at N.U.I. Galway - Video Presentations

Professor Charlotte Damm, Head of Discipline, talks about Archaeology at N.U.I. Galway.

Mary Gavagan, undergraduate arts student, on the subject of studying archaeology at N.U.I. Galway.

Why study archaeology?

From its inception, archaeology has played a central role in the social sciences in universities throughout the world. Archaeology contributes important insights to the story of humankind, insights that are pieced together with evidence from a host of other specialists: e.g. palaeobotanists who reconstruct  ancient environments; chemists who analyse food residues from ancient pots; physicists who measure atomic decay for radiocarbon dating; zoologists who analyse animal bones; and linguists and historians who study the spoken word and written documents. Archaeology will provide you with interpretative, analytical and communication skills of direct value in a wide range of career paths, particularly in heritage-related professions. The Department of Archaeology in NUI Galway is to the forefront of Irish archaeology producing quality graduates and postgraduates employed across the full spectrum of the heritage profession in Ireland and abroad.

What will I be studying?

No previous knowledge is required to take the subject. The first year course involves four lectures per week and some tutorials. It is a general introduction to the subject covering important aspects of both Irish and European archaeology, as well as exploring the practice of archaeology.

First Arts students choose four subjects from a series of subject groupings and then specialise in two of their chosen subjects in the second and third years of their undergraduate programme. While there are logical subject combinations (e.g. archaeology-history; archaeology-geography), you may be assured that whatever combination of subjects you choose to study, a BA Degree will provide you with interpretative, analytical and communication skills of particular value in a wide range of career paths.

The coming together of teaching and research makes archaeology at university a unique experience: we don’t just impart knowledge, we create it. Exciting discoveries by researchers in Galway about the lifestyles of the earliest farming communities, geophysics at the great royal sites like Tara, and the art and architecture of the medieval world, add an extra dimension to the teaching programme and ensure that students are exposed to cutting-edge research.

Some students, particularly those returning to education, choose to undertake a Diploma in Archaeology rather than a BA degree and diploma courses are run by NUI Galway at a number of different locations in the west of Ireland.

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